Well, the big day came and it was time for me to ride the 100 miles in the Peak Season Century. It was an incredibly long week leading up to this ride. Lets recap
I got up as usual on Saturday, 9/27 to enjoy an easy 27 mile taper ride with the TNT herd in Saratoga. The ride was enjoyable despite the fact that a pick up truck felt the need to cut me off while I was climbing a hill so not a fun experience. After the ride the heard enjoyed a little picnic and then I was off to drop my bike off at the shop for its long awaited granny gear. From there I headed up to my parents camp to drop something off before heading for home and a much needed shower. When I got to camp and saw my mom I knew something was up. She pulled me away from the group and told me that my cousin Joe had passed away late Friday night.
I was devastated. Joe was the reason I was doing this ride for. He was just such an awesome guy and it was so hard to believe that there was a world without Joe. My first thoughts were for his family and my hope that they found some peace. After that, my thoughts started to wander towards when the funeral would be. I have to admit that I was a little concerned that I may miss the ride on Saturday. While I would have been disappointed, I would never dream of missing Joes funeral.
Once the services were set, we grieved for Joe and after talking to my family, I was more committed than ever to do this. My focus then turned to getting ready for the ride. In between work, the funeral and the torrential rain that hit the area, I had no time to take my new granny gear out for a test spin. I picked up my bike and was about to commit the cardinal sin of event training - I was going to head out on a 100 mile ride having never tested my new eqipment on a practice ride. Not a wise move, but I had no choice given the circumstances. Friday arrived and the rain cleared. Soon I was packing the car and driving north to meet my team!
We met up in the hotel lobby and then went to fuel up for the next day at our kick off dinner. I met a lot of great teammates who were from outside the area. They were great! Everyone was so excited about the ride. It was truly infectious. We heard some very inspirational stories about how the money we raised really matters in the fight against blood cancers. One participant told us of her daughter who was diagnosed shortly after birth. She was given a 75% chance at survival. On the night of the dinner she was a happy, healthy 10 year old about to attend her first dance. We were told that that same case, if diagnosed today would have an 86% survival rate. What an improvement 10 years worth of research can make. That is why we do this! Soon, it was back to the rooms to get ready for the big day ahead.
I packed my supplies in my bag, checked the air in my tires, loaded up my bottles and camelpak, laid out my gear (including my new bike jersey adorned with a big green shamrock for my cousin Joe) and I was soon settling in for what should have been a good nights sleep.
I say should have because there was a wedding in the hotel and a bar not to far away. The music from both kept me up until about 11:30! Granted, the Billy Joel cover band was really good, I just wasnt in the mood to hear them. By midnight I was finally asleep for the night. The alarm went off at 5:00AM ugh! I cleaned myself up, got dressed and was off to meet the team in the hotel lobby for our group picture. It was cold and dark out, but the energy of the team was palpable. We were excited and ready to conquer the ride ahead.
We rolled down to the start near the beach, waited for a little bit (did I say it was cold) and then soon got our call to the start. There were about 100 riders so it wasnt too crowded. We got our pre-ride instructions and then we got our signal to start a cannon shot from Fort William Henry! We were off heading north along the west side of Lake George. 100 miles lay ahead. I settled into my groove and found myself riding with three teammates and friends including my wonderful coach Melissa, Jillian and Donna. I had no idea what a great day I had ahead of me.
After 11 miles, we found ourselves in the village of Bolton Landing at the first rest area. A quick snack and a few refilled bottles and we were off in search of Tongue Mountain. A huge climb awaited us and we were ready to spit on that hill. Soon enough, there it was the climb at Tongue Mountain. I had mentally prepared to walk up a good portion of this hill as my climbing legs just cant handle steep climbs yet. I rode up as far as I could and then I was hiking it. Jillian was also off her bike and just up ahead so we walked together. After what seemed like an eternity, we were at the top and met up with Donna and Melissa who looked awesome climbing that hill. They are total rockstars! After a quick rest at the top, we were off and enjoying the long downhill that awaited us. It was just awesome and at the bottom there was this view and an amazing group of supporters waiting to cheer us on.
After our photos and a quick breather we were on our way towards the next rest stop in Hague. While we were there, I got a nice surprise - my family were driving by on their way to meet me for lunch at Fort Ticonderoga. What a boost that was to see them so early. Knowing that they were waiting for me at the fort just pulled me there. We made it to Ticonderoga and after a few pics (and another hill I had to walk up damn them
) we were at the fort for lunch and some time off the bikes.
After lunch, we were off again and it was on to Dresden for the next rest stop (have you figured out that my plan was to just focus on getting to the next rest area and then the next). The course coming out of Ticonderoga was just one long slow climb that never seemed to end. It was just brutal! At the end of the day, it was a good 3 miles of climb. I made the first two climbs and walked the third (damn
) At this point, I was starting to tire, but was still excited about getting to the end.
We rolled into the next rest stop and refueled, got a hug from my mom (who was waiting for me there) and we were off. The next 20 miles were rough. I could feel my breathing getting heavier. I found myself walking up more hills than I climbed and taking more breaks. My team was awesome and inspired me to keep going and I did. We pulled into the rest stop at mile 78 and for the first time, my family wasnt there bummer! I could have used that hug from mom at that point. A few bites to eat, a quick chat with one of the ride directors about time (we were still 22 miles out and it was going on 4:30) and a quick course change to simplify things with the hopes of getting us back before dusk and we were off.
At this point, I knew I was in a bit of trouble. My breathing only got harder and my energy was just depleting rapidly. Even with my coach right behind me telling me not to quit on the ride and Joe I found myself walking up yet another hill. I got back on my bike to ride and that is when the wheezing started. Everyone could hear me breathing at this point and we were on one of the few flat sections and not going very fast so something was definitely up. I pulled off into a driveway to try and catch my breath but somehow couldnt. The support vehicle pulled up behind us to check on us. While we were there the homeowner even came out to see what was going with his barking dog and offered some assistance. At this point, I couldnt even stand up to breathe. I was done! Fighting back the tears, I took the offer for the ride back. The tears were more because I was scared about what was going on than at not finishing at that point. I knew it wasnt a heart attack as my heart rate was normal. I just couldnt get a deep breath in. I hugged my teammates asked them to finish the ride for Joe and loaded my bike into the truck for the ride back.
Everyone was so supportive that I still felt proud about what I had accomplished. After riding the rest of the course in the truck, I knew that there was no way I could ride that course the way I felt. The vehicle that would have taken me off the course would have been an ambulance had I tried. I preach safety is number one at work so I have to practice it at home so this was the right call. Mike offered to let me ride across the finish line if I had wanted to but that just didnt seem right to me. Goddess do it right or not at all
Instead, I was a passenger in a truck going across the line which freaked out my family and friends who had gathered to watch me. We pulled into the parking lot and over to my family. After explaining what happened and insisting that I didnt need to go to the hospital (my breathing had become much easier, but my voice was gone) I picked up my gear and headed to the hotel for a much needed shower (did I say how cold it was at that point?) and victory dinner.
Meeting up with the team at dinner was awesome. There were hugs all around and everyone was just so supportive about what had happened. There is a tinge of disappointment in not finishing, but I did 85 miles! That is huge for a girl whos longest ride last year was 10 miles on a relatively flat course. After the dinner, coach and I drove out to meet up with my fellow Fantastic Fours and a few others at a cottage they had rented. It was a wonderful end to a great day. Good food, good wine and good friends. What more could I ask for?
After a good nights sleep, I drove home and met up with the family for church and then a picnic with all of my cousins. What a great day filled with not tears, but smiles and memories of those who have gone before us. My aunt was proud of me and that is all I could have wished for.
Looking back, it was a great day despite the difficulties. Ill conquer this distance. I just know I will. That is what the off season is for prepping for the next season. So look out Tongue Mountain I am coming for you!
I am so looking forward to it! 
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